Along with fellow Brotherhood of the Blade schools, TryUmph Academy of Martial Arts, and Brotherhood of the Blade NoVa Kali, the Maryland Jeet Kune Do Academy attended a Marcaida Kali seminar this past weekend. The event brought together students and instructors of the two schools to train and fellowship with a senior team of Marcaida Kali instructors from Kuya Doug Marcaida's home base in Rochester, New York.

"The seminar further enhanced and reinforced the training we've received in class." Chuck, MDJKD Student

The seminar was very well attended by students from all four schools, and was extremely well-run and organized. Instruction was led by Kuya Christopher Manns and his team of instructors, including Anthony Palmer, Anthony Chirico, Jesse Landes, as well as Marcaida Kali students Tori and Isaiah. The seminar covered the basic concepts and methods of Marcaida Kali using single stick and single knife, how to combine footwork, short, fluid, and circular strikes, basic striking combinations, and how to apply and develop them through a training drill called Contradas.

"It was a great learning experience. We got a month's worth of training in 6 hours. They focused on the fundamentals. I feel that will help me make great improvements." Joe, MDJKD Student

The second day of the seminar was hosted by Alan & Anthony Sanidad, owners of TryUmph Academy of Martial Arts in Crofton, Maryland. This portion of the seminar weekend went into greater depth on developing essential movements through working further with the Contradas drill, this time utilizing double stick and taught by Kuya Christopher Manns. Further skill development was then done through working the Sumbrada drill for double stick. Kuya Anthony Palmer assisted in this session, and helped the seminar participants focus on precision in the striking and shielding techniques of Sumbrada.

"Amazing seminar! I learned a whole lot by practicing the fundamentals and retained a lot of useful information and got great advice for practicing solo." Brandi, MDJKD Student

"This was my first Marcaida Kali seminar, so I love the fact that Kuya Chris covered the basics so everyone got something out of it, from beginners like me to the more advanced members." Chris, MDJKD Student

It was a weekend of great training and even better fellowship, and exemplified what makes the Brotherhood of the Blade and Marcaida Kali, not just in technique, but in ethos. The students of the Maryland Jeet Kune Do Academy are all ready looking forward to the next gathering.

"When you learn Kali, it translates to swords, knives, and unarmed combat, and I really thought it was amazing at the end when Kuya Chris showed how every move he did with the stick was the same with swords, knives, or his empty hands." Gene, MDJKD Student